and okay this post is much less stern or urgent than our last one, more of a mindset check, but for real if you’re a system that uses protector labels or especially a headmate that identifies with them please remember that that doesn’t mean the health and safety of your system is 100% your job.
it can be and is very nice to feel like you’re helping your headmates deal with the stressors of your shared life, and you might even enjoy taking on some of the personal challenges you deal with, but just try and remember you don’t have to do things that hurt because you’re a protector. you don’t have to take on any more stress than you’re personally comfortable with, even if it feels like you “should”.
your headmates should be supporting you as much as you are supporting them and you can let them handle things too. if you feel seriously pressured to take on things you can’t handle, try to reevaluate as a collective what is expected of you as a protector.
even if you were created to handle stress, this is still true. the circumstances of your creation do not define what you have to be, and if something is overwhelming you, that’s enough proof that you shouldn’t be forced to take it on alone.
it is wonderful that you protect your system. you should always remember that you deserve to be safe and free from stress just as much as they do.